Ex-NBA coach Dunleavy Sr. takes first college job at Tulane

Mar 28, 2016 - 6:09 PM
NEW ORLEANS (AP) Former long-time NBA coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. is taking his first college coaching job at Tulane, joining a program that has languished at or below .500 for most of the past two decades since last appearing in the NCAA tournament in 1995.

The 62-year-old Dunleavy, whose hiring was announced Monday, is a Brooklyn, New York, native who played for South Carolina before a lengthy career as an NBA player and coach. He's been the head coach of four NBA teams, most recently the Los Angeles Clippers from 2003 to 2010. He previously coached the Los Angeles Lakers (1990-92), Milwaukee Bucks (1992-96) and Portland Trail Blazers (1997-2001).

His six-year hiatus from coaching ends as he replaces Ed Conroy, who was fired after six seasons. Tulane finished this season 12-22.

Dunleavey's ''reputation as a great evaluator of talent, master of strategy and teacher of the game define him today as one of the top basketball minds in the country at any level,'' Tulane athletic director Troy Dannen said. ''His commitment to Tulane athletics is a game-changer for our program.''

This marks the second major hire at Tulane for Dannen, who took over as Green Wave athletic director in December. He has also hired new football coach Willie Fritz.